Sunderland boss Steve Bruce preparing to sign Craig Bellamy

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce is interested in signing Manchester City forward Craig Bellamy as he looks to complete his summer transfer dealings before the start of the Premier League season.

The Black Cats have already signed nine players this summer, including Manchester United duo Wes Brown and John O’Shea and now they are turning their attentions to the blue half of Manchester.

Bellamy spent last season on loan at Cardiff City, but the Championship club couldn’t afford to have him on loan for a second season having failed to win promotion. The Wales international is therefore available for transfer.

Bruce has admitted that Bellamy could be exactly the type of player he needs to complete a squad capable of taking Sunderland on to bigger and better things.

He said: “I haven’t got a wide left player, not a natural one, although we’ve got people who can play there, so we’ll see. Craig Bellamy is a possibility. He can play wide left and up front so we’ll see.”

There is no doubt that Bellamy is a talented player and one who can terrorise defences in the Premier League. One season in the second tier of English football doesn’t change that and Bruce knows the former West Ham man can add a great deal of quality to his squad.

As for the player himself, Bellamy has already turned down a move to Celtic this summer. He is determined to have another go at the Premier League. Sunderland is a good club for him to do just that.

He will be playing regularly in a team that adopts an attacking style. He will be playing for a manager that clearly rates his ability and a set of fans that will enjoy having someone with Bellamy’s pace and skill in the side.

All in all, this seems like win, win for everybody. It just comes down to Manchester City and Sunderland agreeing a deal.